Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, neck condition, right shoulder condition, and back condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of decision. The Board also granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities prior to June 7, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to insufficient evidence of record, including an updated VA examination and VA treatment records. The Veteran will be provided with forms to complete and given another opportunity to submit them.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Board also notes that entitlement to increased ratings for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) prior to January 30, 2020 and thereafter are not granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), whether the reduction in rating was proper, and entitlement to an increased rating for residuals, right ankle subtalar dislocation with arthritis 1st metatarsophalangeal joint.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, right and left knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss.,The Veteran's appendectomy scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's TBI, PTSD, and related conditions are remanded due to missing service treatment records.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and thoracic/lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine disability, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are also remanded due to missing service treatment records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service and granted service connection. However, the hearing loss in his right ear requires further examination and opinion due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for hemorrhoids has been granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been granted.,Service connection for stomach pain (deviated septum) is denied.,Service connection for watery left eye is remanded.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has found that there is evidence of a potential worsening in the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, and therefore remanded for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and cholesteatoma have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has also been denied due to lack of cooperation in providing necessary information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, skin disability, tinnitus, and others, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from July 2, 2003 to July 25, 2007. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that it is not related to service.,The Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of tinnitus, and therefore his claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear, and TBI are being remanded due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran is also seeking a compensable rating for his service-connected sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service connected. The back disability issue was remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a link to active duty service.

The appeal for service connection of a bilateral knee disability is dismissed. The appeals for service connection of lumbar spine, stroke residuals, COPD, heart disability, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied a rating for bilateral hearing loss in excess of 20 percent on an extra-schedular basis prior to December 15, 2012. The Veteran's employment history showed he was gainfully employed during this period and did not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture as to render the application of the regular rating schedule impractical.